- If you do not already belong to the Catholic Church and
- wish to know more about it, this is the process
INQUIRY -
- Attend an inquiry session Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in the Green Room at the Church.
These are informal - a time to ask questions.
CATECHUMENATE -
- When a person is ready to begin a more formal period of learning about the Church, we
celebrate the Rite of Acceptance. This represents a higher degree of commitment to the
Church. Formal classes are held on Sunday mornings 9-10 a.m. to learn how Catholic
doctrine develops from Scripture and tradition.
- Each Sunday at the 8:00 a.m. Mass following the homily Catechumens are dismissed to
discuss more fully how the Gospel affects our lives.
- The Sunday sessions (9-10 a.m. and 30 minutes following the homily) continue until the
candidate is fully prepared to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
- The participant's readiness determines how long this process takes. It could be 6 months
or it could be a year or more.
PURIFICATION & ENLIGHTENMENT -
- This is the time period during Lent, culminating in the full
membership in the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter
Vigil.
MYSTAGOGY
- The year following Initiation in which deeper involvement in the
Catholic Community is encouraged.
Who may participate in the RCIA (Rite of
Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Adults and children over 6.
- Unbaptized
- Baptized and brought up in
another faith tradition
- Baptized and not following a
faith tradition
- Teens or adults who have not
received First Eucharist or Confirmation
- Children who participate in the RCIA dismissal are also enrolled in age level Religious
Education Classes
Definitions
The Catechumenate: This is the process from the early days of the Church when learning to
live as a Christian was a long process, possibly several years.
Inquirer: One who is asking questions about the Church
Candidate: One who is baptized in another Christian faith tradition and is now
seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. A Candidate for Full Communion seeks the
Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Catechumen: One who is not yet baptized in a faith that believes in the Trinity; one
seeking the Sacraments of Initiation.
Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
The Elect: Individuals who are actively preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of
Initiation at the following Easter Vigil.
Neophyte: Newly Baptized person for the year following the Sacraments of Initiation
Mystagogy: The Season between Easter and Pentecost in which the Mysteries of our
Faith are more fully opened to Neophytes because they have been experienced. This period
extends for the first year after Baptism.
- How to invite a friend or
family member into the Church,
- or to learn more about how the Church leads us to
Jesus Christ?
- Ask when the opportunity arises. Offer to accompany them to an
Inquiry session. Call the Church office at 727-3742.
How can I help?
Invite a friend to learn about the Church
Become a sponsor or team member
The whole parish helps in the process. We are the
initiating community
Can the Church help me to explain my
faith to someone else?
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